VISN 2 MIRECC Research Core
About the VISN 2 MIRECC Research Core
The VISN 2 Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center (MIRECC) conducts basic and clinical research that improves the health of Veterans with serious mental illness and suicide prevention. We partner with other VA sites including the Denver VA, East Orange VA, and the VISN 17 Waco Texas Center for Excellence.
Basic research examines the biological basis of a disease or behavior. The basic research conducted in our MIRECC involves a translational approach. Using this approach, MIRECC investigators test scientific theories which translate findings in the lab to everyday care that improves the life of Veterans by improving treatments and support.
Examples of basic suicide prevention research include examining certain genetic factors that may directly or indirectly be linked to conditions underlying suicide risk and protective factors. The goal of this research is to apply the basic science to human medicine. Ideally, new treatment targets are identified that inform novel treatments for mental illness and suicide prevention.
Other basic research approaches use animal models and data from public health records to examine how brain and behavior are related to mental illness and symptom severity.
Clinical research in the VISN 2 MIRECC involves examining the biological basis of disease or behavior. Several MIRECC investigators study the neurobiology of mental illness and suicide. To accomplish this, they use various approaches including neuroimaging with MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) to examine how the brain’s structure and function may impact suicidal thoughts and behavior. The goal of this research is to inform new treatment targets for suicide prevention.
Clinical research also includes testing the safety and effectiveness of interventions in humans. Examples of clinical research includes conducting clinical trials of promising new medications or group therapy.
The resources provided by the Research Core include biostatistical expertise, clinical trial expertise, and clinical assessment expertise which improves the work conducted by MIRECC investigators.
Current VA Merit Awards include:
- Burstein: https://reporter.nih.gov/search/pVTwf5nnYky0cvqETMyIzg/project-details/10924783
- Dracheva: https://reporter.nih.gov/search/Q6zOl00g6UeJWF2XTgmRLw/project-details/10948932
- Edwards: https://reporter.nih.gov/search/spvB5OPKRkWlCQmaAlKBsA/project-details/11009519
- Hazlett, Goodman: https://reporter.nih.gov/search/-wOrymU0XE-OTDSq1fD2TA/project-details/11012251
- Kimhy: https://reporter.nih.gov/search/tqtbzz_FoU-u0XRdI23F7w/project-details/10851706
- Roussos: https://reporter.nih.gov/search/5zyJTrpJR0ev3soL2HcIkg/project-details/10830268
- Szeszko: https://reporter.nih.gov/search/eEJn4V_GZk6Quhl0VIKQKQ/project-details/10914487
- Szeszko: https://reporter.nih.gov/search/Q6zOl00g6UeJWF2XTgmRLw/project-details/11023018
Current VA Research Career Scientist Awards include:
- Dracheva: https://reporter.nih.gov/search/BSYUmUZ4_UWh27aJHrkuTw/project-details/10924885
- Hazlett: https://reporter.nih.gov/search/pVNfVJGckEOPsIN6tYd6qA/project-details/10887502
- Greene: https://reporter.nih.gov/search/Q6zOl00g6UeJWF2XTgmRLw/project-details/10982454
- Sokol: https://reporter.nih.gov/search/Q6zOl00g6UeJWF2XTgmRLw/project-details/10834940
Latest (2024-2025) Research findings are published in peer-reviewed journals and include:
- Goodman: doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1512523
- Kimhy: doi: 10.1016/j.schres.2024.12.016
- Chan: doi:10.1093/schbul/sbae209
- Edwards: doi:10.1038/s41398-025-03248-z
- Edwards, Greene: doi: 10.1080/08995605.2023.2209006
- Glisker: doi: 10.1159/000542499
- Hazlett: doi:10.1016/j.jad.2024.09.149
- Burstein, Voloudakis, Roussos: doi: 10.1101/2025.01.19.25320806
- Szeszko: doi: 10.1016
- Haroutunian: doi: 10.1126/science.adg5136
- Dracheva: doi: 10.1038/s41588-025-02083-8
- Corcoran: doi: 10.1016/j.psychres
